JP2017026338A - Radar resource distribution device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a radar resource distribution device capable of maximizing a target number of following objects, in a following period in a radar scheduling cycle, capable of flexibly distributing a radar resource which can be utilized to each target, for performing radar scheduling in which the radar resource use is improved.SOLUTION: The invention is configured to perform time distribution to each target in a following period, so as to cope with an integration time according to a pulse integration number calculated based on a common SN ratio to each target in the following objects, then create a non-distributed time in the following period. Then, a threat degree of each target is determined based on a preset threat degree table, and the non-distributed time in the following period, is added and distributed to each target according to the threat degree of each target without leaving the non-distributed time as it is.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  Embodiments described herein relate generally to a radar resource allocation apparatus that allocates radar resources to targets within a radar scheduling cycle of a radar apparatus.

  Conventionally, a multifunctional radar or the like is known that searches and captures a target and establishes a tracking process for the target target and continues the tracking. In this type of radar apparatus, a radar scheduling cycle is set in which operation modes such as search / capture and follow-up are repeated in advance at a predetermined cycle. Then, according to this schedule, resources are allocated to various processes including an antenna beam control process and a radar signal process.

  An example of a conventional radar scheduling cycle is modeled and illustrated in FIG. In this case, one cycle of scheduling continues to track each target for which the target target is searched and captured, and the target period (several) for which the tracking process has been established, until the target process is delivered. And a follow-up period for acquiring the target information. As for the following period, in this case, the maximum number of targets that can be followed simultaneously is set to four targets in advance, and this period is divided into four, and the target target is assigned to any period. Then, this cycle is repeated while optimally setting the radar parameters for each period of search / capture and following.

JP-A-8-75839 (5th page, FIG. 1) Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2004-340615 (8th page, FIG. 3)

  As described above, in the conventional radar scheduling, the maximum target number that can be followed simultaneously is determined in advance. Therefore, it has not been possible to cope with a situation in which the target number to be followed exceeds the maximum target number. In addition, when the target number to be tracked is smaller than the maximum target number, there may be a radar resource that is not allocated, and a situation has occurred in which resources provided in the radar are not necessarily fully utilized. Furthermore, in order to continue the target tracking process, the target signal is processed while ensuring a good signal-to-noise (SN) ratio with a predetermined signal processing gain. As a result, the radar resources may be excessively allocated. For this reason, during the following period, there is a need for scheduling that maximizes the number of targets that can be followed according to the status of the target target as much as possible and flexibly allocates radar resources more effectively. .

  The embodiment of the present invention has been made in consideration of the above-described circumstances, and maximizes the number of targets to be tracked in a tracking period in a repeated radar scheduling cycle, and is used for each target. It is an object of the present invention to provide a radar resource distribution device that performs radar scheduling in which possible radar resources are flexibly allocated and the utilization is improved.

  In order to achieve the above object, the radar resource distribution device of the present embodiment is a radar device in which a search period for searching and capturing a target and a tracking period for tracking the captured target are repeated in a pre-scheduled cycle. In the radar resource distribution device for allocating resources of the radar device for the tracking process to each target to be tracked within the tracking period, the tracking process is established during the search period. An S / N ratio acquisition unit that receives each target information of the tracking target and acquires the signal-to-noise ratio thereof, and maintains tracking for any target of the tracking target based on the acquired signal-to-noise ratio. A common signal-to-noise ratio setting unit that sets a common signal-to-noise ratio, which is the minimum signal-to-noise ratio, In either case, the number of pulse integrals corresponding to the signal processing gain for each target for achieving the set common S / N ratio is calculated, and based on the calculated number of pulse integrals, the target for each target within the following period is calculated. A resource distribution unit that performs time distribution and notifies the radar apparatus of the result as radar resource distribution information.

  Further, a threat level table set in advance based on target information including the target distance, speed, and reflection area, and the threat level of each target to be tracked are determined based on the threat level table. A threat level determination unit, and the resource distribution unit, after completing the time distribution for each target within the following period, if there is an unallocated time within the following period, Based on the determination result in the threat level determination unit, additional distribution is made to each target to be followed.

The block diagram which shows the structure of the 1st Example of the radar resource distribution apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. The figure which models and shows an example of the time allocation in the resource allocation part 13. FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the radar resource distribution device illustrated in FIG. 1. The block diagram which shows the structure of the 2nd Example of the radar resource distribution apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows an example of the threat table. The figure which models and shows an example of additional allocation of the unallocated time in the resource allocation part. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the radar resource distribution device illustrated in FIG. 4. The figure which models and shows an example of the conventional radar scheduling cycle.

  The best mode for implementing a radar resource distribution device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a first example of a radar resource distribution device according to an embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the radar resource distribution device 1 is connected to the radar device body 5. Here, the radar apparatus main body 5 includes, for example, an antenna unit, a transmission / reception unit, a signal processing unit, a display unit, and the like, although not shown in detail in this embodiment, and a search period for searching and capturing a target, The radar apparatus searches for and captures a target and tracks the target while repeating a tracking period in which the target is tracked at a period scheduled in advance. Then, the radar resource distribution device continues the target information including the reception level, the distance, the speed, and the reflection area for the target that is following the tracking process and the target that is captured during the search period and the tracking process is established as the target of tracking. 1, and receives radar resource distribution information including time distribution within the tracking period from the radar resource distribution device 1, and performs resource distribution based on this information to track the target target.

  The radar resource distribution device 1 connected to the radar device main body 5 includes an SN ratio acquisition unit 11, a common SN ratio setting unit 12, and a resource distribution unit 13, and the target information received from the radar device main body 5 Based on this, the radar apparatus body 5 generates resource allocation information for allocating the radar resources of its own apparatus, and sends it to the radar apparatus body 5. The SN ratio acquisition unit 11 acquires each signal-to-noise ratio (hereinafter referred to as an SN ratio) based on the reception level of the target to be followed (multiple targets) sent from the radar apparatus body 5.

  The common S / N ratio setting unit 12 compares the acquired S / N ratios of the respective targets, and sets a common S / N ratio that is the minimum S / N ratio that can be maintained and maintained for any target. In target target tracking processing, in order to maintain stable tracking processing, the processing proceeds while allocating radar resources so that a good signal-to-noise ratio is ensured under an appropriate signal processing gain. Depending on the relative positional relationship, the processing may be continued while the SN ratio is sufficiently secured.

  In the common S / N ratio setting unit 12 of the present embodiment, in the S / N ratio of each target to be followed acquired by the S / N ratio acquisition unit 11 so that the state in which the excessive S / N ratio is ensured is not continued. The minimum acquisition value, which is the minimum value, is extracted and set as the common S / N ratio. In addition, as a value to be set for the common S / N ratio, a minimum value of a typical S / N ratio that is necessary in a following environment is held in the common S / N ratio setting unit 12 in advance as a set minimum value. Based on the comparison result between the acquired minimum value and the set minimum value, for example, a smaller value can be set as the common SN ratio.

  The resource distribution unit 13 calculates the number of pulse integrals for each target so that the S / N ratio of the target to be followed is the common S / N ratio set by the common S / N ratio setting unit 12 described above, Based on the calculated pulse integration number, time distribution is performed for each target within the follow-up period of the radar apparatus body 5, and the result is notified to the radar apparatus body 5. The time allocation directly related to the radar resource allocation will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 2 is an example in which an example of time allocation in the resource allocation unit 13 is modeled. In general, in a pulse radar, the reflected signal of a radar pulse is integrated over a plurality of continuous PRI (Pulse Repetition Intervals) to ensure an SN ratio during signal processing and perform target detection. Further, the relationship between the target S / N ratio and the pulse integration number is formulated as the signal processing gain based on the specifications of the individual radar devices. In the case of FIG. 2 (a), the same pulse integration condition (the same signal processing gain) is used for the four targets to be followed, so that the time distribution is evenly distributed to each target. On the other hand, in the example of FIG. 2B, as a result of calculating the pulse integration number based on the common S / N ratio set by the common S / N ratio setting unit 12 for the four targets to be followed, For 3, since a sufficient S / N ratio was secured with respect to the common S / N ratio, the number of pulse integrations was reduced to reduce the signal processing gain, and no change was made for the following target 4. Yes.

  As described above, the resource allocation unit 13 allocates a time corresponding to the integration period corresponding to the number of pulse integrations calculated based on the common S / N ratio to each target, and as a result, each target has a common S / N ratio. Excess time that has been allocated beyond is provided, and unallocated time is created within the following period. The created unallocated time can be allocated to a target to be tracked that requires a new radar resource, which is expected to be captured later, and a predetermined radar scheduling cycle. Inside, you can accept new goals and maximize the number of targets.

  Next, the operation of the radar resource distribution device 1 of the first embodiment configured as described above will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 1 and 2 and FIG. FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the radar resource distribution device 1 illustrated in FIG.

  As described above, the radar resource distribution device 1 is connected to the radar device body 5 and operates. In the radar apparatus body 5, a target is searched for and captured in accordance with a preset radar scheduling cycle, and a tracking process is established for the target to be tracked. Then, target information including the reception level, distance, speed, and reflection area is continuously acquired and sent to the radar resource distribution device 1 for each target, and the radar resource distribution device 1 accepts the target information. (ST31).

  Next, the SN ratio acquisition unit 11 acquires each target SN ratio. That is, the SN ratio acquisition unit 11 sequentially receives target information for each target to be followed, and measures the SN ratio of each target based on the latest reception level. The acquired S / N ratio of each target is sent to the common S / N ratio setting unit 12 (ST32).

  Next, the common signal-to-noise ratio setting unit 12 sets a common signal-to-noise ratio that is the minimum signal-to-noise ratio that can maintain and maintain the following process for any target that is the object to be followed. That is, the common SN ratio setting unit 12 extracts an acquisition minimum value that is the minimum value in the SN ratio of each target acquired by the SN ratio acquisition unit 11. And this acquisition minimum value is set as a common S / N ratio (ST33).

  Next, the resource distribution unit 13 calculates the pulse integration number for each target so that the SN ratio of each target to be followed becomes the common SN ratio set as described above. That is, the target S / N ratio and the pulse integration number are formulated according to the specifications of the individual radar, so the resource allocation unit 13 performs a calculation according to this and calculates the pulse integration number for each target. Calculate (ST34).

  Further, the resource distribution unit 13 performs time distribution for each target within the following period as the distribution of the radar resources for each target based on the calculation result of the pulse integration number. That is, as shown in FIG. 2B, for example, the resource allocation unit 13 allocates a time to allocate to each target based on an integration period corresponding to each pulse integration number. At this time, excessive time allocated over the common SN ratio for each target is provided, and unallocated time is created within the following period (ST35).

  The distribution result is sent to the radar apparatus body 5 as radar resource distribution information. Based on this information, the radar apparatus main body 5 performs various kinds of antenna beam scanning control and signal processing in its own apparatus necessary for the tracking process of each target in the tracking period of one radar scheduling cycle set in advance. Specific radar resources are allocated to control and processing, and the processing is continued (ST36). Thereafter, the above operation steps are repeated until an instruction to end the operation is given (ST37).

  As described above, in this embodiment, the S / N ratio of each target to be tracked is acquired, and the minimum value among them can be maintained and the tracking process can be maintained for any target. While setting as the S / N ratio, the number of pulse integrals for each target is calculated so that the S / N ratio of each target becomes this common S / N ratio. Then, corresponding to the integration time according to the number of pulse integrations, time distribution is performed for each target within the following period to create unallocated time within the following period, and the result is notified to the radar apparatus body. Yes.

  As a result, it is possible to suppress excessive allocation of radar resources due to the target SN ratio being excessively secured exceeding the common SN ratio, and to allocate unallocated time to a new target. Therefore, it is possible to maximize the number of targets to be tracked in a preset radar scheduling cycle.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a second example of the radar resource distribution device according to the embodiment of the present invention. In the second embodiment, the same parts as those in the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted. The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the unallocated time created in the following period is allocated to a new target to be captured later in the first embodiment. Although the target number of targets is maximized, in the second embodiment, the threat level of each target to be tracked is determined, and the unallocated time is set for each target according to the threat level. It is the point which comprised so that additional allocation might be carried out. Hereinafter, the differences will be mainly described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3 and FIGS.

  As illustrated in FIG. 4, the radar resource distribution device 2 includes an SN ratio acquisition unit 11, a common SN ratio setting unit 12, a threat level determination unit 14, a threat level table 15, and a resource distribution unit 16. It is connected to the apparatus body 5. Since the S / N ratio acquisition unit 11, the common S / N ratio setting unit 12, and the radar apparatus body 5 are configured in the same manner as in the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted.

  The threat level determination unit 14 extracts the distance, speed, and reflection area for each target to be tracked from the target information sent from the radar apparatus body 5, and for each target based on the threat level table 15 described later. The threat level is determined, and the result is notified to the resource distribution unit 16. The threat level table 15 is a table in which the threat level is set in advance based on the target distance, speed, and reflection area. An example of the threat level table 15 is shown in FIG. In the example of FIG. 5, the target distance is divided into three ranges, and the threat level is set at three levels corresponding to the target speed and the reflection area range in each distance range.

  Similarly to the resource distribution unit 13 in the first embodiment, the resource distribution unit 16 is configured so that the target SN ratio to be followed is the common SN ratio set by the common SN ratio setting unit 12. The number of pulse integrals for the target is calculated, and based on the calculated number of pulse integrals, time distribution is performed for each target within the following period of the radar apparatus body 5, and as a result, undistributed time is obtained within the following period. Create. In addition, the resource allocation unit 16 of the second embodiment uses the unallocated time for each target to be followed based on the threat level for each target determined by the threat level determination unit 15. And the result is notified to the radar apparatus body 5 as resource distribution information. This additional allocation of unallocated time will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of additional allocation of unallocated time in the resource allocation unit 16. 6A and 6B show time distribution corresponding to the number of pulse integrals calculated based on the common S / N ratio for each target to be followed within the following period, as described in the first embodiment. FIG. 6B shows a state in which unallocated time is created. On the other hand, since the threat level determination unit 14 determines the threat level for each target to be tracked, the resource distribution unit 16 quantifies the weighting of the distribution in accordance with, for example, this threat level, Allocate additional allocation time. In the case of FIG. 6C, for example, the weights of the distribution are weighted on the assumption that the threat levels of the tracking targets 1 and 2 are the same and the threat levels of the tracking targets 3 and 4 are low. In this example, 50% of the unallocated time is additionally allocated to the tracking targets 1 and 2, respectively, and the tracking targets 3 and 4 are left as they are.

  By performing additional allocation in this way, it is possible to flexibly allocate target resources and improve their use without leaving undistributable radar resources in the following period in the radar scheduling cycle. Can do.

  Next, the operation of the radar resource distribution device 2 according to the second embodiment configured as described above will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 1 to 6 and FIG.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the radar resource distribution device 2 illustrated in FIG. In FIG. 7, the operation steps ST31 to ST35 are the same as the operations described with reference to FIG. 3 in the first embodiment with the resource distribution unit 13 as the resource distribution unit 16, and therefore detailed description thereof. Is omitted.

  Through the operation steps up to ST35, the resource distribution unit 16 performs time distribution corresponding to the number of pulse integrals calculated based on the common S / N ratio for each target to be tracked, and as a result, within the tracking period. Unallocated time is created. On the other hand, the threat level determination unit 14 determines the threat level for each target to be followed. That is, the threat level determination unit 14 extracts the distance, speed, and reflection area from the target information of each target to be tracked sent from the radar apparatus body 5, and stores it in the threat table 15 set in advance. Based on this, the threat level of each target is determined. The determined threat level for each target is sent to the resource distribution unit 16 (ST71).

  Next, in the resource allocation unit 16, unallocated time within the tracking period created in the operation steps up to ST35 is additionally allocated according to the target threat level of the tracking target. That is, the resource distribution unit 16 receives the threat levels of the targets from the threat level determination unit 14, performs weighting for distributing unallocated time to the targets in accordance with the threat levels, and according to the weights. For example, as shown in FIG. 6C, unallocated time is allocated to each target (ST72). Then, the radar resource allocation information after the additional allocation is sent to the radar apparatus body 5 (ST36). Thereafter, the above operation steps are repeated until an instruction to end the operation is given (ST37).

  As described above, in this embodiment, each target to be tracked is made to correspond to the integration time corresponding to the number of pulse integrations calculated based on the common S / N ratio as in the first embodiment. In addition, time is distributed to each target within the following period, unallocated time is created within the following period, and the threat level of each target is determined based on the threat level table. Then, the unallocated time within the following period is additionally allocated to each target according to the threat level of each target without leaving the unallocated.

  Accordingly, it is possible to flexibly allocate available radar resources to each target while maximizing the number of targets to be tracked in a preset radar scheduling cycle, and to improve the use thereof.

  Although several embodiments have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalents thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 2 Radar resource distribution apparatus 5 Radar apparatus main body 11 SN ratio acquisition part 12 Common SN ratio setting part 13, 16 Resource distribution part 14 Threat degree determination part 15 Threat degree table

Claims (4)

A search period for searching for and capturing a target and a tracking period for following the captured target are used in a radar apparatus that is repeated in a pre-scheduled cycle. In a radar resource allocation device that allocates resources of the radar device for following processing,
An SN ratio acquisition unit that receives each target information of the tracking target that is captured in the search period and for which tracking processing is established, and acquires their signal-to-noise ratio;
Based on the acquired signal-to-noise ratio, a common signal-to-noise ratio setting unit that sets a common signal-to-noise ratio that is the minimum signal-to-noise ratio that can be followed for any target to be followed;
The number of pulse integrals corresponding to the signal processing gain for each target for setting the SN ratio of each target to be followed to the common SN ratio set is calculated, and based on the calculated pulse integral number A radar resource distribution apparatus comprising: a resource distribution unit that performs time distribution for each target within the following period and notifies the radar apparatus of the result as radar resource distribution information.   The SN ratio setting unit extracts a minimum value as an acquisition minimum value from the acquired target signal-to-noise ratios of the following objects to be tracked, and sets the acquisition minimum value as the common SN ratio. Item 2. A radar resource distribution device according to item 1.   The S / N ratio setting unit stores a preset minimum value set in advance, compares the acquired minimum value with the set minimum value, and sets the smaller value as the common S / N ratio. Item 2. A radar resource distribution device according to item 1. Furthermore, a threat level table set in advance based on target information including target distance, speed, and reflection area;
A threat level determination unit that determines the threat level of each target to be tracked based on the threat level table;
The resource allocation unit, after completing the time allocation for each target within the following period, if there is an unallocated time within the following period, the unallocated time is determined by the threat level determination unit The radar resource distribution device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein additional distribution is performed to each target to be followed on the basis of the target.